PrepZone: Youth being served for Naples, Immokalee

The Indians relied on a strong defense to beat the Lehigh Lightning in the regional quarterfinals on Friday.

Second half highlights from the South Fort Myers-Naples region quarterfinal football game Friday, Nov. 18 at Naples High School. The Golden Eagles defeated the Wolfpack, 49-13.

Video by Alex Pena

Naples quarterback Kilton Anderson (7) looks unsuccessfully for a hole in the South Fort Myers defense near the end zone in the second quarter of the South Fort Myers-Naples region quarterfinal football game Friday, Nov. 18 at Naples High School.

When Kilton Anderson filled in at quarterback Friday and led Naples High to a playoff victory over South Fort Myers, he was just the latest sophomore sensation to step up for the Golden Eagles this season.

With four sophomores starters, Naples has relied on some of the youngest Eagles to make some of the biggest plays this year.

The Eagles aren't the only team enjoying a youth movement. The majority of Immokalee's starters are underclassmen, including four sophomores and one freshman.

Inexperience hasn't hindered either team this year. Naples and Immokalee are the only Collier County teams left standing, and both play regional semifinal games Friday. The Golden Eagles host Fort Myers in the Class 6A playoffs, while the Indians travel to Cape Coral in 5A.

Anderson was forced into action in the quarterfinals when starting quarterback Billy Crook twisted his ankle in the second quarter. He kept the offense rolling and led three second-half touchdown drives in a 49-13 win.

While Anderson likely will get his first career start against Fort Myers, three sophomores have been starting on defense all year. Linebacker Brian Donnelly is second on the team in tackles, while defensive back Sammy Lubin and linebacker Trevor Hobbs are in the top eight.

"The coaches gave us the opportunity at the beginning of the season," Hobbs said. "We just had prepare hard and step up."

Last year the trio was leading Naples' freshman team to an undefeated season. Now they sophomores are contributing to the best defense in Collier County in terms of points allowed.

The biggest adjustment was the speed of varsity action. The sophomores said they worked extra hard in the offseason to pull even with players who have been with the Golden Eagles for years.

Once they earned starting spots, the young players credit the Naples coaching staff for getting them ready to play under the Friday night lights.

"We just have to listen to the coaches and follow the game plan," Donnelly said. "We work with them on technique and just absorb everything."

Some teams might be forced to start younger plays due to injuries or smaller rosters. That's not the case at Naples, coach Bill Kramer said. From early in the year, it because apparent that the sophomores were ready for the big stage.

"They're beating out older players for their spots," Kramer said. "They're not playing by default. That's a credit to the kids. This is a real talented group."

It's the second year in a row sophomores have impressed at Naples. Last season Manny Morgan led the area in rushing with 1,156 yards as a sophomore. Linebacker Jordan Perez, one of just three returning starters on defense this season, also was a sophomore last year.

Immokalee has the rare combination of youth and experience this season. With just six seniors in the lineup, the Indians have a large junior class that is in its second year starting.

Even the sophomores are almost veterans at this point. Receiver J.C. Jackson, who had four catches for 101 yards and a touchdown in a win over Lehigh in the regional quarterfinals, led the Indians with 38 receptions for 880 yards last year as a freshman. D'Ernest Johnson was Immokalee's top running back as a freshman in 2010.

The Indians have one freshman in the starting lineup, linebacker Zach Williams. He might be the only player not around last year when Immokalee won a district title and played in the postseason.

"Experience hasn't been a big issue this year," Indians coach Jerrod Ackley said. "Our sophomores are playing really well. It's an unusual situation for us to have sophomores and juniors with playoff experience already."